Mounting for ink rollers of reversible printing couples



June 9, 1964 w. G. ZIMMER ETAL MOUNTING FOR INK ROLLERS OF REVERSIBLE PRINTING COUPLES 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 6, 1962 iizzlazzfar'a W 622 Q %r7z070 @906, 5 W M a June 9, 1 w. s. ZIMMER ETAL 3,135,246

MOUNTING FOR INK ROLLERS OF REVERSIBLE PRINTING COUPLES 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 6, 1962 n 1964 w. G. ZIMMER ETAL MOUNTING FOR INK ROLLERS OF REVERSIBLE PRINTING COUPLES 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 6, 1962 United States Patent 3,136,246 MOUNTING FOR INK RGLLERS 0F REVERSIBLE PRINTING COUPLES William G. Zimmer, Villa Park, and Vernon J. Hilgoe, Lombard, 111., assignors to Miehle-Goss-Dexter, Incorporated, mileage, Ill, a corporation of Delaware Filed Mar. 6, 1962, Ser. No. 177,876 Claims. (Cl; 101-450) plied continuously from the ink fountain to the printing plate cylinder, and accordingly the rollers, drums and other parts are designed for continuous feed. The ink feed on other types of presses is intermittent in operation resulting from the use of ink pumps or ductor rollers oscillating between two adjacent members to transfer ink intermittently. Successful use of the continuous feed systern requires that the ink supply or fountain roller, which supplies a film of ink of controlled thickness to the system, must always rotate in a given direction. It is' also important for the ink pick-up roller which is in co-operative relationship with the fountain roller to always rotate in the same given direction. However, when a unit is to be used for printing color, it is necessary that the plate cylinder be able to rotate in either direction. This is required in order to accommodate the necessary run of the webthrough the press. In units so designed it is necessary to modify the ink supply system or the arrangement of transfer rollers and drums if ink is supplied by the continuous feed method.

Since reversibility is a requirement in present day presses of the web printing continuous ink feeding type the invention has for its object to provide such presses with an improved mechanical arrangement of transfer rollers and pivoted journalling plates therefor which can be conveniently rocked by the operatorthereby making it possible to supply ink to a printing plate rotating in either direction from a fountain roller which rotates in. only one direction. I I

Another and more specific object of the invention resides in a new and improved combination which-will provide mechanical rneans for establishing the ink sup'ply for either normal or reverse operations by causing two ink transfer rollers to change their position relative to an ink drum automatically and quickly, requiring nothing Patented June 9, 1964 vention may consist of certain novel features of construction and operation, as will be more fully described and particularly pointed out in the specification, drawings and claims appended thereto.

In the drawings which illustrate an embodiment of the device and wherein like reference characters are used to designate like parts: a

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of. a half. deck including a printing couple designed for web printing and wherein the inking mechanism incorporates the improvement of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view showing in elevation one position of the side plates and the ink transfer rollers journalled thereby;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view similar to FIGURE 2 but showing the second operative position of the side plates and rollers; and

- FIGURE 4 is a side elevational view of the side plates only in the position they assume in FIGURE 2.

It should be understood that the drawings show parts on one side only of the half deck and that similar parts will be used on the other side. Therefore, the description which follows pertains to the structure on one side of the press only in order to simplify the specification.

Referring to FIGURE 1 the half deck shown in this figure is merely one printing coupleof a unit turned on its side and supported above two conventional web printing units. The units may also incorporate the improvements of the invention which will be described and explained with respect to the half, deck wherein'the numerals 10 and 11 indicate the, plateand impression cylinder respectively of the printing couple. Inkis supplied to the plate cylinder 10 by a system of rollers and drums which essentially include an ink fountain 12located to the right of the printing couple at the terminal end of the frame members for the half deck and which frame members support the fountain 12 and the ink fountain roller 14 in the customary manner. The roller 14 has associated therewith the doctor or'knife blade -15 ,which removes surplus 'ink, leaving however, a film of ink of controlled thickness on the fountain roller. It is accordingly necese sarythat the fountain roller rotate in one direction only and the'sarne is true'of the. ink pick-up, roller 16 in contact therewith. Oneend of the first transfer roller 18 and also the second transfer roller 20 are journalled'by the side plates 22 and 24 shown in detail in FIGURES 2, 3 and '4 and which will be more particularly described. In

- accordance with the invention the ink transferroller 18 more on the part of the operator than the pressing of a button or the actuation of a switch.

Another object in connection with web printing presses of the continuous feed type residesin a mechanical arrangement including side plates having a special mounting for limited rocking movement and which journal a pair of ink transfer rollers, wherebyone of said rollers is moved into and out of the operative chain of rollers for transferring the ink by a rocking of the side plates.

Anotherfeature of the invention in connection with the side plates and roller jour'nalled thereby resides in the fact that the said one roller, when not operative for actually' transferring ink,. will "function as a distributing roller. 'with respect to the drum. f1

Another object of the invention resides in theprovision of ink transfer rollers and pivoted journalling plates therefor wherein the rollersrare journalled-by adjustable:

shownji is'always in contact with pick-up roller 16 and may have contact with either the auxiliarydrurn 25 or with the second transfer roller 20. The said roller 20, however, is always in contact with theauxiliary drum 25 and may be moved into or out of contacLwith the transfer roller 18. When not included in thechainof rollers actuallyjtransferrin'g ink the roller '20 will function as a distributing roller for the auxiliary drum '25. From: said drum the ink istransferred to theroller 26 and then to the main drum 27, which has the usual distributing roller I 28in contact therewith. The two transfer rollers 30 and 3 1;3contactjthemain drum; 27 and also'the plate cylinder 10-;to complete the ink transfer system of 'theunit. t I g t-In order to provide'for reversibility of the printing couple it'will be appreciated that one ofthe transfer rollers must have the-abilityto move intoand out of the system and this is the mode of operation as regards the roller 20. The change. in position of the roller 20 and also roller 18 is efi'ectedby s ide plates which journal the; two rollers an hich have focking movement fon'the purpose all as a v A FIGURES 2 andflif'which"structurefwill now The fountain r oller'14 and pick-up roller-516 are,

jourrialledby structure supported by thefountain 1'2.

- 3 However, the side frames of the press, FIGURES 2 and 3, as indicated by numeral 32 have the stud shafts 33 projecting inwardly from the same and which are disposed with their centers on the axis of rotation for the ink pick-up roller 16. A stud shaft 33v extends inwardly from eachframe just 'far enough to :provide a journal for one of the side plates such as 22.; On one side of its journal each' plate carries'a pair of small wheels 34- and 35 in spaced relation andiwhich havecontact with the cam surfaces 36 of the cam lever 37 .fiXed to the actuating shaft 38. Said shaft extends across the press and a cam similar to 36 mounted thereon near the frame in which it is journalled, is actuated simultaneously withv cam surfaces 36 which are in contact with'the wheels 34 and 35, and thus effect a rocking of the side plates 22 on their journalling stud shafts 33. This rocking of the side plates 22 in a counter-clockwise direction will change the position of the first transfer roller 18 with respect to both the second transfer roller 24? and the auixiliary drum 25. In particular it will be observed that the'roller 18 is i 7 moved from contact with the second transfer roller 2%,

FIGURE 2, to a position as shown in FIGURE 3, wherein the roller 18 now contacts the drum 25.

The roller 18 is journalled at its respective ends by means ofsocket structures 45 shown generally in dotted lines in FIGURES '2 and 3. Thefunction of the sockets is to adjustably support the roller lti'so that it bears with the desired pressure when in contact with the adjacent roller 2% and drum 25, respectively. The rollers are amazes Each socket structure includes the fixed section 71 and a movable section 72 pivoted to the former at 73. The two sections as a unit provide the journal part 75 for receiving the shaft 68 and the combined sections are pivotally adjustable with respect to axis 73 as permitted by the elongated opening 77 which receives the securing means 78 for securing the socket structure to the plate 24.

With the side plates 22' and 24, and the ink transfer rollers 18 and 2t positioned as shown in FIGURE 2, it will be seen that the ink from pick-up roller 16 will be transferred to roller 18, then to roller Ztl and from said roller to the auxiliary drum 25, and then to transfer roller 26, Forso positioning the parts the power cylinder 42 iwise direction, this moved transfer roller 18 causing the same to move toward and contact transfer roller 20. Said roller 20 was simultaneouslymoved towards roller 13 by means of the links 66 coupling the plates. The plates 24 have thus been rocked in a clockwise direction on the axis of rotation of the auxiliary drum 215. Accordingrubber covered for the proper distribution and transfer of the ink and a socket supports each end of roller 18, the sockets being adjustable so as, to slightly shift the axis of the roller for proper pressure relation. The socket structure includes a fixed section 45 and a pivoted section 47' which when inclosed relation provide the journal part 48 for receiving the shaft 54.? of the'roller 18.

The section 47'is pivoted'at 51 to the section 46 and the two sections as aunit are pivotally mounted on an eccentric stud rotatably mounted in a base or the like at 52. The combined sections have adjustment with respect 1 to axis 52 as permitted by the elongated opening 53, and by rotation of the eccentric stud the operator is able to shift the axis of the roller 59 toward or away from opening' 53. By actuation of "the member 54, the entire socket'may be rotated about stud 52 to move roller 18 out of contact with adjacent rollers or drums.-- This may be done to facilitate testing contact pressures and it is necessary to loosen the'studs atb'oth '51 and 52 in order to rotate thesocket; I 1 7 Referring again to the plate 22 it will be seen that the same is-provided with thefprojection 55and that the projection is associated with the member 56. The studs 57 secure the member 56 audi; pair of spaced stops 58 to the press side-frame 32 and since the projection is located between the stops they accordingly limit rockingrnovement of the side plates 22. Each plate 22 ispivota1ly connectedto a plate-24 by the link 60,;the link having connection at itsrespective ends as at 61- and- 62 .to the of the auiiiliaryurum by being mounted on a ring 7 member 64fixed to the inside of frame32. Each rn'ern' -l ber 64 is in'the form are ringto provide an openingfor the shaft of drum 25twhich extend's through the openings I for journalling by the sid e frames, spacing bares, fixed to each plate24 by the screws 66, provides an open- 1y, as shown in FIGURE 2, the transfer roller 20 is included in the inking mechanism as an active element performing itsnecessary function of transferring ink from roller 18 to'dr'um 25. V j 7 To accommodate a reversal in the direction of rotation of the printing couple,ithe power cylinder 42 is actuated to oscillate cam lever 37 causing cam 3%? to rock side plates 22 in a counter-clockwise direction, whereupon the parts assume the position as shown in FIGURE 3; Roller 18 still maintains contact with the ink pick-up roller 16, and likewise roller 20 still maintains contact with the drum 25. However, the. counter-clockwise rocking of plates 22 and the counterclockwise rocking of plates 24 due to the conthe auxiliary drum 25, conveniently functions as an ink distributing roller for the drum. p

The same principle and general arrangement of the parts may be used in the inking mechanism for the units themselves or for the inking mechanism as used in a jcentercolor installation. The shape of the side plates maybe varied to suit requirements, and the socket structures may also'bemodified to suit conditions. It will be appreciated, that to adapt the inking mechanism for continuous feeding from one direction of rotation to a reverse direction of rotation as regards the printing couple can be accomplished easily and quicklymerely by pushing a button at some convenientlocation on the press, and it will be further recognized that the operation, will require. a rninimun of time on the part of the attendant.

, The'invention is not to be limited to orby details of construction of the particular embodiment thereof illustrated by the drawings, 'as-various' other forms of the device will, of course, be apparent to th'os e skilled in the art without departing fromthe spirit of the invention or'the scope of the; claims. Q j

What. is ,claimed is:

"I 1. lira printing'press, thecomoination with la printing couple including aplate cylinder and" an impression cyl1n-' der adapted to rotate in either direction, of inking mechanism for the same including an ink pick-up roller and a drum, said ink pick-up roller having rotation in one direction only whereas the drum rotates in either direction as determined by the printing couple, a pair of ink transfer rollers for transferring ink from the pick-up roller to the drum, a pair of spaced plates for journalling each ink transfer roller, and means mounting the plates for limited rocking movement simultaneously whereby to effect bodily movement of the ink transfer rollers to cause one roller to contact either said other roller or to contact the'drum.

2. In a printing press, the combination with a'printing couple including a plate cylinder and an impression cylinder adapted to rotate in either direction, of inking mecha nism for the same including an ink 'pick-up roller and a drum, said ink pick-uproller having rotation in one direction only whereas the drum rotates in either direction as determined by the printing couple, a first and a second ink transfer roller for transferring ink from the pick-up roller to the drum, a pair of spaced side plates journalling the first'transfer roller in a manner to maintain contact with the ink pick-up roller, another pair of spaced side plates journalling the second transfer roller in a manner to maintain contact with the drum, and means mounting the respective pair of side plates for limited rocking movement simultaneously whereby to effect bodily movement of the ink transfer rollers to cause the first roller to contact either the second roller or the drum.

3. In a printing press, the combination with a pair of side frames for the press, of inking mechanism including an ink pick up roller and a drum, a pair of side plates located adjacent the inside surface of each side frame, one side plate of each pair being mounted for limited oscillating movement on an axis in alignment with the axis of the pick-up roller, a first transfer roller journalled by the said one side plates in a manner which maintains the first transfer roller in contact with the ink pick-up roller, the other side plate of each pair being mounted for limited oscillating movement on an axis in alignment with the axis of the drum, a second transfer roller journalled by the said other side plates in a manner which maintains the second transfer roller in contact with the drum, means for effecting oscillating movement of the said one side plates in either a clockwise or a counterclockwise direction and to said limited extent, and means pivotally linking the side plates of each pair whereby the other plate of each pair is oscillated by movement of the one side plate of each pair, and said transfer rollers being so positioned that said oscillating movements will cause contact of the first transfer roller with either the second transfer roller or with'the' drum. 7

4. In a printing press, the combination with a pair of side frames for the press as defined by claim 3, wherein the means for effecting oscillating movement of said one side plates includes a power cylinder fixed to the press frame and an oscillatable cam lever having a pivotal connection with the piston rod of the power cylinder.

5. In a printing press, the combination with a printing couple, an ink pick-up roller and a drum, a pair of side frames provided by the press, said pick-up roller and drum being journalled for rotation within the side frames, a pair of side plates located within and adjacent each of the side frames respectively, one plate of each pair being mounted for limted rocking movement on the same axis r as the pick-up roller, the other plate of each pair being mounted for limited rocking movement on the same axis as the drum, means carried by the said one side plates for journalling afirst ink transfer roller in a manner-maintaining the same in' contact with the ink pick-up roller,

other means carried by the said other side plates for jour-,

nalling a second ink'transfer roller in a manner maintaining the same in contact withtthe drum, means pivotally connecting each pair of side plates, and means forrocking the side plates of each pair simultaneously to effect 6 contact of the first transfer roller with either the second transfer roller or with the drum.

6. In a printing press, the combination with a printing couple adapted to have rotation in either direction, an ink pick-up roller having rotaton in one direction only and a drum having rotation in either direction as determined by the printing couple, a pair of side frames provided by the press, said pick-up roller and drum being journalled for rotation within the side frames, a pair. of side'plates located within and adjacent each side frame respectively, one plate of each pair being mounted by its adjacent side frame for limited rocking movement on the same journalling axis as the pick-up roller, the other plate of each pair being mounted for limited rocking movement on the same journalling axis as the drum, means carried by the said one side plates for journalling a first ink transfer roller in a manner maintaining the same in contact with the ink pick-up roller, other means carried by the said other side plates for journalling a second ink transfer roller in a manner maintaining the same in contact with the drum, means pivotally connecting each pair of side plates, and power means for rocking the side plates of each pair simultaneously to effect contact of the first transfer roller with either the second transfer roller or with the drum.

7. In a printing press, the combination with a printing couple, an ink pick-up roller and a drum as defined by claim 6, additionally including stop elements in associated relation with the one side plate of each pair for limiting the said rocking movement of the plates, and wherein the second ink transfer roller functions as a distributing roller when the first ink transfer roller is in contact with the drum.

8. In a printing press, the combination with a printing couple adapted to have rotation in either direction, an ink pick-up roller adapted to rotate in one direction only and a drum adapted to rotate in either direction as determined by the printing couple, a pair of side frames comprising a part of the press, said pick-up roller and drum being journalled for rotation within the side frames, a pair of side plates located within and adjacent each of the side frames respectively, one plate of each pair being mounted by its adjacent side frame for limited rocking movement on the same journalling axis as the pick-up roller, the other plate of each pair being mounted by its adjacent side frame for limited rocking movement on the same journalling axis as the drum, adjustable socket means carried by the said one side plates for journalling a first ink transfer rollerin a manner maintaining the same in contact with the ink pick-up roller, other adjustable socket means acrried by the said other side plates for journalling a second ink transfer roller in a manner maintaining the same in contactwith the drum, means pivotally connecting each pair of side plates, and power means for rocking certain of the side plates and which effects simultaneous rocking of the remaining side plates through the connecting means,,whereby contact of the first transfer roller is effected with either the second transfer roller or with the drum.

9. In a printing press, the combination with a printing couple including a plate cylinder and an impression cylin der adapted to rotate in either direction, of inking mechanism for the same including an ink pick-up roller and a drum, said ink pick-up'roller having rotation in one direction only whereas the drumrotates in either direction as rockable side plates for respectively mounting said first and second rollers, and a link connecting the plates on each side for coincident movement between one position" fin which the first roller contacts the pick-up roller and contacts the pick-up roller and the second roller, and means for rocking the plates from said one position to the other position.

10. In a printing" press, the combination with a printing couple including a plate cylinder'and an impression cylinder adapted to rotate in either direction, of inking mechanism for the same including an ink pick-up roller and a drum, said ink pick-up roller having rotation in one direction only whereas the drum is adapted to rotate in,

either direction as determined by the printing couple, a pair of inktra'nsfer rollers for transferring inkfroin the pick-up roller to the drum, a pair of spaced side plates having journalling means thereon for respectively jour-, nalling the transfer rollers, means mounting the plates for limited but simultaneous rocking movement, whereby to eifect bodily movement of the ink transfer rollers to cause one roller to contact either the other roller or to contact r 8 the drum, and other means adjustably securing each journalling means to its respective plate, whereby to permit adjustment of the transfer position of each transfer roller With respect to its journalling side plates so that the contact pressure of said rollers with other rollers and with each other can be adjusted.

1 References fited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,971,081 Newton et al Aug. 21, 1934 2,158,474 Misuraca May 16, 1939 2,664,045 Pullo Dec. 29, 1953 2,682,218 Baumgartner June 29,1954 2,754,753 Chase July 17, 1956 I FOREIGN PATENTS 449,265 I Italy June 8, 1949 

1. IN A PRINTING PRESS, THE COMBINATION WITH A PRINTING COUPLE INCLUDING A PLATE CYLINDER AND AN IMPRESSION CYLINDER ADAPTED TO ROTATE IN EITHER DIRECTION, OF INKING MECHANISM FOR THE SAME INCLUDING AN INK PICK-UP ROLLER AND A DRUM, SAID INK PICK-UP ROLLER HAVING ROTATION IN ONE DIRECTION ONLY WHEREAS THE DRUM ROTATES IN EITHER DIRECTION AS DETERMINED BY THE PRINTING COUPLE, A PAIR OF INK TRANSFER ROLLERS FOR TRANSFERRING INK FROM THE PICK-UP ROLLER TO THE 